Digest Updated 3 hours ago
  1. Apple announced Monday that John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become CEO on September 1, succeeding Tim Cook after his 15-year tenure. Cook, who assumed leadership shortly before Steve Jobs' death in 2011, will transition to executive chairman. Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran who has led hardware engineering, will take the reins as the company faces heightened regulatory scrutiny over its App Store practices. The announcement follows years of succession planning, according to Apple.

  2. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on April 20, prompting tsunami warnings of up to 3 metres for coastal areas including Iwate prefecture and parts of Hokkaido. The tremor occurred near the Sanriku coast at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, generating a seismic intensity of upper 5. The quake struck the same region devastated by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as emergency response efforts continue.

  3. A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad for a second round of peace talks with Iran, despite tensions escalating after US forces seized an Iranian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran labeled "maritime piracy." Iran has since announced it has no current plans to participate in further negotiations, placing the talks in doubt. Russia has offered mediation services to help de-escalate the situation.

  4. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that singer-songwriter d4vd, whose real name is David Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder and special circumstances in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her dismembered remains were discovered in Burke's Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard last September, more than a year after she was last seen in Lake Elsinore. The 21-year-old musician, known for his viral TikTok hit "Romantic Homicide," was arrested following a secret grand jury investigation. His attorneys maintain he is innocent.

  5. A shooting at Mexico's Teotihuacan pyramids left a Canadian woman dead and several others injured Monday. The attacker climbed the 43-meter Pyramid of the Moon and opened fire on tourists before committing suicide, according to Mexico's Security Cabinet. President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered an investigation and is in contact with the Canadian Embassy. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, which reopened to visitors last May, draws millions annually. Authorities recovered a firearm, a blade, and cartridges from the scene.

  6. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from the Trump administration following formal complaints alleging she abused her position, had an extramarital affair with a subordinate, and drank alcohol on the job. The complaints, filed with the Department of Labor's inspector general, also accused her staff of enabling the behavior. Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve in an acting capacity. This marks the third high-profile resignation from the administration in recent weeks.

  7. FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick on Monday over an April 17 article alleging he had a drinking problem and unexplained absences that threatened national security. The lawsuit claims the magazine acted with "actual malice" by publishing despite receiving detailed refutations from Patel's attorney hours before publication. The Atlantic's editor-in-chief said the publication stands by its reporting. This is the latest in a series of legal actions by Trump administration figures against media outlets.

  8. President Trump announced a second round of US-Iran peace talks will take place in Islamabad on Tuesday, just as US forces seized an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman after damaging its engine room. Iran confirmed the attack and pledged retaliation. Trump threatened to destroy Iran's infrastructure if diplomacy fails, saying Tehran must accept a deal "the nice way or the hard way." Key obstacles remain, including disputes over uranium enrichment and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

  9. Chinese-made humanoid robots dominated a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday, with Honor-developed machines securing all three podium positions. The winning robot completed the 21-kilometer course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the human world record of 57:31 set last month. Participation surged from 20 to over 100 teams, with nearly half navigating autonomously via AI. While spectators praised the advance, experts cautioned that physical skills do not yet translate to widespread industrial commercialization.

  10. The Trump administration has given Cuba a two-week ultimatum to release high-profile political prisoners including dissidents Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo, according to sources close to secret negotiations held in Havana on April 10. The demand was delivered during the first U.S. delegation visit since the 2016 normalization under Obama. State Department officials warned Cuba has "a small opportunity to reach a deal." Discussions also reportedly covered Starlink internet access and potential embargo changes.

  11. A man opened fire from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon at the Teotihuacán archaeological site near Mexico City, killing a Canadian woman and injuring at least three others before committing suicide, authorities said. Security forces were deployed after shots were reported. The attacker was found dead at the scene with a firearm, bladed weapon, and ammunition. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the victims' families and said officials were heading to the site.

  12. The US Justice Department has refused to assist France's investigation into Elon Musk's X platform, accusing French authorities of using criminal law to regulate free speech. The DOJ rejected multiple French requests for assistance, including attempts to serve summonses on X officials. Musk failed to appear for a voluntary interview with Paris prosecutors Monday, though the investigation will continue. The probe, which began over concerns about X's algorithm, has expanded to include antisemitic content and other violations.

  13. Amazon will invest $5 billion in AI company Anthropic, with additional payments of up to $20 billion contingent on meeting commercial milestones. Anthropic has committed to spending more than $100 billion on Amazon Web Services technologies over the next decade. The deal builds on Amazon's previous $8 billion invested in the company over the past two years. Amazon shares rose approximately 2.5 percent in extended trading following the announcement.

  14. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired on two Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, forcing them to turn back. India summoned Iran's ambassador to express "deep concern" and demand the restoration of safe passage. The strait handles nearly one-fifth of global oil trade. China urged the waterway remain open as India steps up Russian crude imports to offset constrained LPG and LNG supplies.

  15. Two people are dead and several others injured after a shooting at Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Monday morning. Police say the violence erupted during a planned fight among young people that escalated into a chaotic exchange of gunfire. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. near Jefferson Middle School, which was placed on lockdown as authorities secured the scene. Police have identified both victims and suspects, including juveniles. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the inquiry.

  16. London police arrested a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old in connection with an attempted arson at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow. A bottle containing accelerant was thrown through a window around midnight, causing smoke damage with no injuries. The arrests are part of a broader investigation into 15 arrests linked to six incidents targeting Jewish premises and community services. Investigators are examining possible connections to Iran amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents following the Gaza war.

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